Supporting device which can be adjusted by means of an electric motor

Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting device (2) which can be adjusted by means of an electric motor for supporting a cushion of a sitting and / or lying furniture, in particular a mattress of a bed, having support parts 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 which can be pivoted relative to one another for supporting the cushion and an electric motor-driven adjusting device comprising a plurality of furniture drives 22, 66 which are mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction of the supporting device 2 or are arranged adjacently to one another. According to the invention, each of the drive housings 26, 34 or 86, 90 of the furniture drives 22, 66 forms at least part of a supporting longitudinal beam of a support part such that each drive housing 26, 34 or 86, 90 is integrated into the support structure of the supporting device (2).

Description

[0001] Electrically adjustable support device

[0002] The invention relates to an electromotively adjustable support device for supporting the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture, in particular a mattress of a bed.

[0003] Corresponding support devices are known in various designs as components of beds, particularly in the form of slatted frames, loungers, armchairs or other furniture.

[0004] DE 10 2020 131 206 A1 discloses an electromotively adjustable support device for supporting the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture. The support device known from the document has support parts that can be pivoted relative to one another to support the upholstery. The support parts comprise a leg support part, to one end of which a central support part is connected in an articulated manner and pivotably adjustable about a horizontal first pivot axis, and an upper body support part is connected in an articulated manner to the end of which, facing away from the leg support part, is connected in an articulated manner and pivotably adjustable about a horizontal second pivot axis. For adjusting the support parts relative to one another, an electromotive adjusting device is provided, which is designed and operatively connected to the support parts such that, in an initial position of the adjustment movement, the support parts together form a substantially horizontal support plane, and in an end position of the adjustment movement, the support parts span a substantially horizontal support plane.

[0005] - the leg support part is pivotally adjusted relative to the central support part, wherein the leg support part forms an obtuse angle with the central support part and the end of the leg support part facing away from the central support part is arranged below a plane defined by the central support part and

[0006] - the upper body support part is pivotally adjusted relative to the middle support part, wherein the upper body support part forms an obtuse angle with the middle support part and the end of the upper body support part facing away from the middle support part is arranged above a plane defined by the middle support part.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a support device which is further improved compared to the known support devices.

[0008] This object is achieved by the invention defined in claim 1.

[0009] The invention provides an electromotively adjustable support device for supporting the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture, wherein the support device has support parts that can be pivoted relative to one another for supporting the upholstery and an electromotive adjusting device for adjusting the support parts (4, 8, 12) relative to one another between a starting position of the adjusting movement, in which the support parts together form a substantially horizontal support plane, and an end position of the adjusting movement, in which the support parts are pivotally adjusted relative to one another.

[0010] The electromotive adjustment device has a plurality of furniture drives arranged spaced apart from one another or adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction of the support device, wherein each furniture drive has at least one electric motor and a drive housing which is formed from two half-shells.

[0011] In each drive housing, at least one drive unit with a spindle drive, which has at least one translationally movable output element, and at least one end position switch-off device for switching off the associated electric motor in end positions of the output element are accommodated.

[0012] Furthermore, means for converting a translational movement of the output member into a pivoting movement of the drive housing are arranged in or on each drive housing, such that the drive housing is pivoted relative to an adjacent support part during a translational movement of the output member,

[0013] Each drive housing forms, at least in sections, a supporting longitudinal beam of a support part, such that each drive housing is integrated into the supporting support structure of the support device.

[0014] Each furniture drive has electrical connection means for connecting the furniture drive to a cable harness that connects the furniture drives to a control device that is designed and configured such that the furniture drives can be controlled independently of one another.

[0015] The invention provides a support device with specially designed furniture drives which, on the one hand, are integrated into the supporting structure of the support device and, on the other hand, form compact structural and functional units which accommodate all electrical, mechanical and electromechanical components or assemblies required to implement an electromotive adjustment device.

[0016] The integration of the furniture drives into the supporting structure of the support device results in a compact design with a low overall height and a relatively small number of components or assemblies.

[0017] By designing the furniture drives as structural and functional units, the assembly and maintenance of the electromotive adjustment device are significantly simplified.

[0018] In the simplest case, the support device according to the invention has two furniture drives. In a three-part support device, a stationary buttock support part is generally provided, to whose ends a pivotably adjustable upper body support part and a pivotably adjustable leg support part are connected. With such a support device, one of the furniture drives can serve to adjust the upper body support part relative to the buttock support part, while the other furniture drive can serve to adjust the leg support part relative to the buttock support part.

[0019] In a 5-link support device, a neck support is usually pivotably connected to the end of the upper body support facing away from the buttocks support, while a calf support is pivotably connected to the end of the leg support facing away from the buttocks support. In a corresponding embodiment, one of the furniture drives can be used to adjust the upper body support together with the neck support relative to the buttocks support, while the other furniture drive can be used to adjust the leg support together with the calf support relative to the buttocks support. Then, on the one hand, the adjustment of the neck support is linked to the adjustment of the back support, and on the other hand, the adjustment of the calf support is linked to the adjustment of the leg support. Therefore, two furniture drives are generally sufficient to adjust the support.In order to additionally adjust the neck support part relative to the upper body support part on the one hand and the calf support part relative to the leg support part on the other hand, two further furniture drives can be provided and integrated into the support structure, with one furniture drive each being assigned to the neck support part, the upper body support part, the leg support part and the calf support part.

[0020] According to the invention, the supporting structure of the support device is understood to mean those components which, when supporting the upholstery, absorb the weight of the upholstery and a person resting on the upholstery.

[0021] In order to further simplify the structure of the support device according to the invention, an advantageous further development of the invention provides that at least two furniture drives of the support device, in particular at least two furniture drives following one another in the longitudinal direction of the support device, are designed as identical parts.

[0022] Depending on the respective requirements and circumstances, the limit switch device can be designed in different ways. In the interest of a simple and cost-effective design, an advantageous development of the invention provides that the limit switch device has two spaced-apart limit switches arranged in the translational movement path of the output element. These limit switches define the end positions of the output element in such a way that the associated electric motor is stopped when the respective end position is reached. Corresponding limit switches are available as relatively simple and cost-effective standard components.

[0023] In order to further simplify and cost-effectively design the support device, another advantageous development of the invention provides for the half-shells of at least one drive housing to be designed as injection-molded parts. Such injection-molded parts are particularly simple and cost-effective to manufacture, as well as robust.

[0024] The electrical connection means for connecting a cable harness that connects the furniture drives of the support device to the control device can be designed in different ways depending on the respective requirements and circumstances. An advantageous development of the invention provides that the electrical connection means comprise a circuit board with a plug-in connection means for plugging into the cable harness, and that the circuit board is accommodated in the drive housing or a motor housing preferably attached to the drive housing.

[0025] To further simplify the design, another advantageous development of the invention provides for a holding device for the circuit board to be molded into the drive housing or motor housing. This eliminates the need for a separate holding device for the circuit board, thus further reducing the number of components.

[0026] Depending on the respective requirements and circumstances, the support device according to the invention can be used in various seating and / or reclining furniture, in particular in beds, loungers and armchairs. In this context, advantageous developments of the invention provide for the support device to be designed as a slatted frame, wherein the drive housings carry resilient slats on which the upholstery rests when the support device is in use, or for the support device to be designed to support a box spring mattress, wherein the drive housings carry plate-shaped support surface parts on which the box spring mattress rests when the support device is in use. The support device according to the invention can be designed as a structural unit separate from the upholstery. However, it is also possible for the support device according to the invention to form a structural unit together with the upholstery, as is known per se from EP 1 239 753 B1.

[0027] Advantageous and expedient developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0028] According to an advantageous development of the invention specified in claim 9, at least one support part is connected to the underside of the central support part, with which the support device can be placed or rests flat on a surface. The support part extends in the longitudinal direction of the support device from the region of the first pivot axis in the direction of the upper body support part and beyond the second pivot axis, such that in the end position of the adjustment movement, the support device is supported on the surface on the one hand with the end of the leg support part facing away from the central support part and on the other hand with the end of the support part facing away from the central support part. In the starting position of the adjustment movement, the support parts together form an essentially horizontal lying surface, so that the furniture can be used as a lounger or bed.The starting position of the adjustment movement thus creates a reclining position for the support device. In contrast, in the final position of the adjustment movement, the support device assumes a "deckchair position," in which the user's back is supported by the upper body support section, which is positioned opposite the reclining position and angled relative to the central support section. In the area of ​​the pivot axis between the central support section and the leg support section, the support device is raised in the deckchair position, so that the user's lower body and legs are ergonomically supported by the central support section and the leg support section.

[0029] This embodiment thus provides a support device for a piece of furniture that offers different functionalities, depending on the respective adjustment position—i.e., the reclining position or the deckchair position—as a lounger on the one hand and as a deckchair on the other. Switching between the reclining position and the deckchair position is quick and easy. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached, highly schematic drawings using exemplary embodiments.It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the individual features of an embodiment further develop the embodiment on their own, i.e. independently of the other features, so that it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that all of the features described, illustrated in the drawings and claimed in the patent claims, taken individually and in any technically reasonable combination with one another, form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their summary in the patent claims and their references, as well as regardless of their concrete description or representation in the drawings. The subject matter and disclosure content of the present application also includes sub-combinations of the patent claims in which at least one feature of a patent claim is omitted or replaced by another feature.The subject matter and disclosure content of the application also include combinations of features of one embodiment with at least one feature of at least one other embodiment.

[0030] It shows:

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a support device according to the invention provided with embodiments of a furniture drive according to the invention in a starting position of the adjustment movement, in which pivotally adjustable support parts of the support device together span a substantially horizontal support plane,

[0032] Fig. 2 shows the support device according to Fig. 1 in an end position of the adjustment movement, in which the support parts are pivotally adjusted to the maximum relative to each other, Fig. 3 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a furniture drive according to the invention in the starting position of the adjustment movement,

[0033] Fig. 4 in the same representation as Fig. 3 the furniture drive according to Fig. 3 in the end position of the adjustment movement,

[0034] Fig. 5 in the same representation as Fig. 3 a second embodiment of a furniture drive according to the invention in the starting position of the adjustment movement,

[0035] Fig. 6 in the same representation as Fig. 5 the furniture drive according to Fig. 5 in the end position of the adjustment movement and

[0036] Fig. 7 shows in a perspective view components of a gear of the furniture drive according to Fig. 3 in connection with an electric motor of a furniture drive,

[0037] Fig. 8.1 to Fig. 8.4 in different perspective views details of a furniture drive of the support device according to Fig. 1,

[0038] Fig. 9 in a block diagram schematic view the connection of a cable harness for electrically connecting furniture drives of the support device according to Fig. 1 with a power supply device and a control device,

[0039] Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a support device according to the invention in the starting position of the adjustment movement, Fig. 11 shows the support device according to Fig. 10 in the end position of the adjustment movement in the same representation as Fig. 10,

[0040] Fig. 12 in the same representation as Fig. 10, but on an enlarged scale compared to Fig. 10, a detail from Fig. 10 in the area of ​​the pivot axis between the upper body support part and the middle support part,

[0041] Fig. 13 in the same representation as Fig. 10, but on an enlarged scale compared to Fig. 10, a detail from Fig. 1 area of ​​the pivot axis between the leg support part and the middle support part,

[0042] Fig. 14 in the same representation as Fig. 12 the detail according to Fig. 12 in the end position of the adjustment movement,

[0043] Fig. 15 in the same representation as Fig. 13 the detail according to Fig. 13 in the end position of the adjustment movement,

[0044] Fig. 16 shows a detail from Fig. 11 in the area of ​​the end of the leg support part facing away from the middle support part and

[0045] Fig. 17 in a perspective view a third embodiment of a support device according to the invention in the starting position of the adjustment movement

[0046] For the sake of clarity, components of the furniture drive and support device according to the invention have been omitted from the figures of the drawing. The omitted components are to be added to the relevant figures in a conceptually appropriate manner. A first embodiment of a support device according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to Figs. 1 to 7.

[0047] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a support device 2 according to the invention for supporting the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture, in particular a mattress of a box-spring bed. The support device 2 has a stationary central support part 4 (buttock support part), to which an upper body support part 8 is connected so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 6 (cf. Fig. 5). A neck support part 12 is connected to the end of the upper body support part 8 facing away from the central support part 4 and so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 10 (cf. Fig. 5).

[0048] A leg support part 16 is connected to the end of the central support part 4 facing away from the upper body support part 8 and is pivotally adjustable about a horizontal pivot axis 14 (see Fig. 3). A calf support part 20 is connected to the end of the leg support part 16 facing away from the central support part 4 and is pivotally adjustable about a horizontal pivot axis 18 (see Fig. 3).

[0049] The support parts 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 are pivotally adjustable relative to each other by means of furniture drives according to the invention. This is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

[0050] A power supply and a control device for supplying power and controlling the furniture drives are shown only schematically in Fig. 9 to simplify the illustration. However, the structure and operation of corresponding power supply and control devices are generally known to those skilled in the art and are therefore not explained in detail here.

[0051] Fig. 1 shows the support parts 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 in a starting position of the adjustment movement, in which the support parts 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 together form a substantially horizontal support plane on which an upholstery, for example a mattress of a box-spring bed, is supported when the support device 2 is used.

[0052] Fig. 2 shows the support parts 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 in an end position of the adjustment movement, in which the support parts 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 are pivoted to their maximum relative to one another. A furniture drive 22 is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 7.

[0053] The furniture drive 22 comprises a drive unit 24 with a drive housing 26. In the illustrated embodiment, an electric motor 28 (see Fig. 7) of the furniture drive 22 is accommodated in a separate motor housing 30 (see Fig. 1), which is connected to the drive housing 26. Alternatively, depending on the respective requirements and structural conditions, the electric motor 28 can also be accommodated in the drive housing 26, thus eliminating the need for an additional motor housing.

[0054] Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the furniture drive 22 has a further drive unit 32 (see Fig. 1) with a further drive housing 34. Only the drive unit 24 will be explained in more detail below. The further drive unit 32 is constructed accordingly and will therefore not be explained in more detail.

[0055] The drive torque of the electric motor 28 can be transmitted, for example, via a shaft to the additional drive unit 32, as is known, for example, from EP 2 418 982 B1. However, the additional drive unit 32 can also be provided with another electric motor in a motor housing, particularly when particularly large forces must be applied when adjusting the support parts 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 relative to one another.

[0056] From Fig. 1 it can be seen that the drive housing 26 and the further drive housing 34 form longitudinal beams of the leg support part 16.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the furniture drive 22 has two drive housings 26, 34 spaced apart transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device 2 and forming the longitudinal beams of the leg support part 16. Alternatively, the furniture drive 22 can also have only a single drive housing, which is then preferably arranged in the longitudinal center plane of the support device 2.

[0058] The structure and function of the furniture drive in relation to the drive housing 34 is explained in more detail below using Fig. 8.1 to Fig. 8.4

[0059] Fig. 3 shows the structure of the drive unit 24 of the furniture drive 22. According to the invention, the drive unit 24 of the furniture drive 22 has a spindle drive 36 which has a threaded spindle 38 mounted in a rotationally secure manner and a spindle nut 40 placed on the threaded spindle 38. In the first exemplary embodiment shown, the spindle nut 40 forms the rotatably mounted component of the spindle drive 36 and, in the assembled position of the furniture drive 22, is in a rotary drive connection with the electric motor 28 via a gear 42, which is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 7. The spindle nut 40 is rotatably mounted by means of a bearing 44, which in the exemplary embodiment shown has two ball bearings 46, 48 spaced from one another in the axial direction of the threaded spindle 38 and arranged on either side of the spindle nut 40.

[0060] Depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor 28, the spindle nut 40 is driven in one or the other direction of rotation, so that the threaded spindle 38 moves translationally in one or the other direction.

[0061] According to the invention, the threaded spindle 38 carries two mechanical coupling elements spaced apart in the axial direction of the threaded spindle 38 for adjustment-related coupling to a respective support part. In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded spindle 38 carries block-like coupling elements 50, 52 made of plastic at its ends. The coupling element 50 serves for adjustment-related coupling of the threaded spindle 38 as the output element of the spindle drive 36 to the calf support part 20, while the coupling element 52 serves for adjustment-related coupling of the threaded spindle 38 to the central support part 4.

[0062] One end of a tab 54 is articulated to the coupling element 50, the other end of which is articulated and eccentrically connected to the calf support part 20 with respect to the pivot axis 18 between the leg support part 16 and the calf support part 20.

[0063] In a corresponding manner, one end of a tab 56 is connected in an articulated manner to the coupling element 52, the other end of which is connected in an articulated manner and eccentrically to the pivot axis 14 between the central support part 4 and the leg support part 16 with the central support part 4.

[0064] The tabs 54, 56 connected eccentrically to the pivot axes 14, 18 form means for converting a translational movement of the threaded spindle 38 as output member into a pivoting movement of the drive housing 26.

[0065] In order to adjust the calf support part 20 relative to the leg support part 16 and the leg support part 16 relative to the middle support part 4 from the starting position of the adjustment movement shown in Fig. 1 to the end position shown in Fig. 2, the electric motor 28 drives the spindle nut 40 so that the threaded spindle in Fig.

[0066] 3 to the left. In this case, the tab 54 is subjected to pressure, and the calf support part 20 is pivoted counterclockwise about the pivot axis 18 in Fig. 3 relative to the leg support part 16. At the same time, the tab 56 is subjected to tension, and the leg support part 16 is pivoted clockwise about the pivot axis 14 relative to the central support part 4 in Fig. 3 until the end position of the adjustment movement shown in Fig. 4 is reached. This functionality is particularly evident from a comparison of Figures 3 and 4.

[0067] The return from the end position shown in Fig. 4 to the starting position shown in Fig. 3 occurs when the furniture drive 22 is switched on, but under the weight of the support members 16, 20 or a person resting on the support device 2. It can be seen that the load on the tabs 54, 56 is reversed compared to the adjustment from the starting position to the end position, and now the tab 54 is subjected to tension and the tab 56 to compression.

[0068] By transmitting the drive torque of the electric motor 28 to both the drive unit 24 and the further drive unit 32, the adjusting force is introduced into the support parts 16, 20 essentially symmetrically to the longitudinal center plane of the support device 2, so that twisting of the support parts 16, 20 during adjustment is essentially avoided.

[0069] It is evident that, according to the invention, a single electric motor 28 is sufficient to adjust both the leg support part 16 relative to the central support part 4 and the calf support part 20 relative to the leg support part 16. The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 thus enables complete adjustment functionality with only a single electric motor relative to the support parts 16, 20.

[0070] Fig. 7 shows components of a gear 58 arranged in the drive train between the electric motor 28 and the spindle nut 40. The output shaft 60 of the electric motor 28 is designed as a worm which engages with two worm gears 62, 64 spaced apart from one another in the radial direction of the output shaft 60.

[0071] To establish a rotary drive connection between the output shaft 60 and the spindle nut 40, for example, shafts can be used that are axially inserted into the worm gears 62, 64 and rotationally connected to the worm gears 62, 64. The ends of these shafts facing the spindle nut 40 can in turn each be designed as a worm, with the worms thus formed engaging with a radial outer surface of the spindle nut 40 designed as a worm gear. To simplify the illustration and to explain the structure of the gear 58, corresponding shafts are not shown in the drawing.

[0072] From Fig. 7 it can be seen that the tab 54 is formed by a pair of tabs 54', 54" and in a corresponding manner the tab 56 is formed by a pair of tabs 56', 56"

[0073] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show a second furniture drive 22, designated by the reference numeral 66, which, in accordance with the furniture drive 22 according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, has a spindle drive 68 with a threaded spindle 70. The second exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment primarily in that, in kinematic reversal of the arrangement of the first exemplary embodiment, the rotatably mounted component of the spindle drive 68 is the threaded spindle 70, which has two threaded sections 72, 74 along its axial direction, wherein an axially movable, rotation-proof spindle nut 76 or 78 is placed on each of the threaded sections 72, 74. In the illustrated embodiment, each spindle nut 76, 78 forms a coupling element 80 or 82 for the adjustment-technical coupling of the spindle nut 76 to the central support part 4 or for the adjustment-technical coupling of the spindle nut 78 to the neck support part 12.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded sections 72, 74 have different directions of rotation, so that one of the threaded sections 72, 74 is designed as a left-hand thread and the other as a right-hand thread. Accordingly, the spindle nuts 76, 78 move in opposite directions to each other when the threaded spindle 70 rotates.

[0075] In accordance with the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the furniture drive 66 has a drive unit 84 with a drive housing 86 and a further drive unit 88 with a further drive housing 90 (see Fig. 1). According to the first embodiment, the drive housings 86, 90 form longitudinal beams of the upper body support part 8. In contrast to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, a motor housing 92 is arranged on the further drive housing 90. The transmission of the drive torque occurs in a manner corresponding to the first embodiment.

[0076] The threaded spindle 70 is rotatably mounted via ball bearings 94, 96 and is non-rotatably connected to a worm wheel 98, which is in rotary drive connection with an electric motor of the motor unit 92.

[0077] The spindle nuts 76, 78 are guided in the drive housing 86 in a rotationally secure manner and are each designed as a plastic slide. The adjustment-technical coupling of the spindle nut 76 to the central support part 4 is achieved in that the spindle nut 76 interacts with a pin 100 during adjustment, which is arranged eccentrically to the pivot axis 6 between the central support part 4 and the upper body support part 8 on the central support part 4. In a corresponding manner, the adjustment-technical coupling of the spindle nut 78 to the neck support part 12 is achieved in that the spindle nut 76 interacts with a pin 102 during adjustment, which is arranged eccentrically to the pivot axis 10 between the upper body support part 8 and the neck support part 12 on the neck support part 12.

[0078] To adjust the upper body support part 8 relative to the middle support part 4 and to adjust the neck support part 12 relative to the upper body support part 8, the threaded spindle 70 is rotationally driven such that the spindle nut 76 moves to the left in Fig. 5 and the spindle nut 78 moves to the right in Fig. 5. In this case, the spindle nut 78 initially comes into contact with the pin 102, so that upon further movement of the spindle nut 78 to the right in Fig. 5, the neck support part 12 is rotated about the pivot axis 10 relative to the upper body support part 8 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 5. At the same time, the spindle nut 76 moves to the left in Fig. 5, initially performing an idle stroke. At the end of the idle stroke, the spindle nut 76 comes into contact with the pin 100, so that with a further movement of the spindle nut 76 to the left in Fig. 5, the upper body support part 8 is wasted counterclockwise relative to the middle support part 4.Fig. 6 shows the final position of the adjustment movement, in which the upper body support part 8 is maximally adjusted relative to the middle support part and the neck support part 12 relative to the upper body support part 8.

[0079] Due to the idle stroke of the spindle nut 76 at the beginning of the adjustment movement, the neck support part 12 is first pivoted relative to the upper body support part 8 in an ergonomically correct manner before the upper body support part 8 is pivoted relative to the middle support parts 4.

[0080] The threaded spindle 70 can comprise a one-piece spindle body on which the threaded portions 72, 74 are formed. Alternatively, however, the spindle body can also consist of two spindle elements connected axially and rotationally fixed to one another, each of which has one of the threaded portions 72, 74.

[0081] In the following, further details of the furniture drive 22 are explained with reference to Fig. 8.1 to Fig. 8.4, in particular with regard to the structure and functioning of the drive housing 26.

[0082] The drive housing 26 is formed from two half-shells 104, 106 (see Fig. 8.1 ) and accommodates the electrical, mechanical and electromechanical components and assemblies of the furniture drive 22, so that the furniture drive 22 forms a simply constructed and easy to assemble and maintain structural and functional unit.

[0083] The half-shells 104, 106 are preferably connected to one another by screwing. In the direction perpendicular to a parting plane between the half-shells 104, 106, the half-shells 104, 106 can have the same or approximately the same dimensions. However, the half-shells 104, 106 can have different dimensions in this direction. The half-shells 104, 106 are preferably designed as injection-molded plastic parts.

[0084] As explained above, the drive unit 24 with the spindle drive 36 is accommodated in the drive housing 26, the translationally movable output member of which is formed by a spindle nut 108 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, which is slightly modified compared to Figs. 1 to 7. A further output member is formed by a further spindle nut 109 (cf. Fig. 8.2).

[0085] According to the invention, a limit switch device for switching off the associated electric motor 28 in the end positions of the output element, i.e., the spindle nut 108, is accommodated in the drive housing 26. In the illustrated embodiment 2 in Fig. 8, the limit switch device comprises limit switches designated by reference numerals 110 and 112. The limit switches 110, 112 are arranged in the translational movement path of the spindle nut 108 and define end positions of the translational movement of the spindle nut 108 such that the electric motor 28 is stopped upon reaching the respective end position. The function of such limit switches is generally known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be explained in detail here.

[0086] The limit switch device can be designed differently depending on the respective requirements and circumstances. For example, the limit switch device can comprise a rotary encoder, by means of which the rotations of the output shaft of the electric motor 28 are counted and converted by a controller into the corresponding translational travel of the spindle nut 108, so that the electric motor 28 can be stopped in the end positions of the adjustment movement. The rotary encoder can, for example, comprise a magnetic disk connected to a rotatably mounted component in the drive train of the furniture drive 22, which interacts with a Hall IC.

[0087] According to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7, tabs 114, 116 form means accommodated in the drive housing 26 for converting a translational movement of the output member into a pivoting movement of the drive housing 26, such that the drive housing 26 is pivoted relative to the adjacent support parts (middle support part 4 and calf support part 20) during a translational movement of the output member.

[0088] As can be seen in particular from Fig. 1, according to the invention, the drive housings 26, 34 of the furniture drive 22 and the drive housings 86, 90 of the furniture drive 66 form, at least in sections, supporting longitudinal beams of a support part. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive housings 26, 34 of the furniture drive 22 form supporting longitudinal beams of the leg support part 16, spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device 2, while the drive housings 86, 90 of the furniture drive 66 form supporting longitudinal beams of the upper body support part 8, spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device 2, so that the drive housings 26, 34, 86, and 90 are integrated into the supporting structure of the support device 2. It can be seen that in this way the weight force of a person resting on the support device 2 is absorbed and diverted by the drive housings 26, 34, 86 and 90.

[0089] The integration of the drive housings 26, 34, 86 and 90 of the furniture drives 22 and 66 as compact electromechanical structural and functional units into the supporting structure of the support device 2 results in a simple and robust construction of the support device 2. A particular advantage of the support device according to the invention is that separate drives arranged below the support device are not required, resulting in a particularly flat construction with a low overall height.

[0090] Fig. 9 schematically illustrates that the furniture drives 22, 66 have electrical connection means for connecting to a power supply device 118 and a control device 120, a cable harness 122. According to the invention, the control device 120 is designed and configured such that the furniture drives 22, 66 can be controlled independently of one another. The control device 120 can be actuated by a hand-held control device 121 connected to the control device 120 either wirelessly or by means of a cable.

[0091] In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection means comprise a circuit board 124 with a plug-in connector, as shown in Fig. 8.3 for the furniture drive 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board 124 is accommodated in the motor housing 30. However, in a modification of the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board 124 can also be accommodated in the drive housing 26.

[0092] Fig. 8.4 shows a bottom view of the circuit board 124, showing a socket 126 for inserting a connector of the wiring harness 122.

[0093] In particular, it can be seen from Fig. 8.4 that a holding device 128 for the circuit board 124 is molded into the motor housing 30. This eliminates the need for a separate holding device for the circuit board 124, so that the structure of the support device 2 is further simplified.

[0094] The electrical connection means of the furniture drive 66 are designed accordingly and are therefore not explained in detail here. The support device 2 according to the first embodiment is designed to support a box spring mattress. For this purpose, the drive housings 26, 34 and 86, 90 of the furniture drives 22 and 66 carry plate-shaped support surface parts, of which one support surface part is designated by reference numeral 130 in Fig. 1.

[0095] In the following, a second exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 16 and a third exemplary embodiment with reference to Fig. 17, wherein, in particular, the differences from the first exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 9 are explained. Unless otherwise described or illustrated, the second and third exemplary embodiments otherwise correspond to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0096] A second embodiment of an electromotively adjustable support device according to the invention for upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 16.

[0097] Fig. 10 shows a second embodiment of an electromotively adjustable support device 202 according to the invention for supporting the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture. The support device has support parts that can be pivoted relative to one another to support the upholstery. The basic structure of such a support device is generally known to those skilled in the art and is therefore explained in more detail here only to the extent that it is relevant to the explanation of the invention.

[0098] To simplify the illustration, the upholstery and any other components of the furniture are not shown in the drawing

[0099] In the illustrated embodiment, the support parts comprise a leg support part 204, to one end of which a central support part 208 is connected in an articulated manner and pivotably adjustable about a horizontal first pivot axis (symbolized in the drawing by a dash-dotted line 206), and to the end of which, facing away from the leg support part 204, an upper body support part 212 is connected in an articulated manner and pivotably adjustable about a horizontal second pivot axis (symbolized in the drawing by a dash-dotted line 210).

[0100] The support device 2 has an electromotive adjustment device for adjusting the support parts 204, 208, 212 relative to each other, which will be explained in more detail below. The adjustment device is designed and operatively connected to the support parts 204, 208, 212 in such a way that in an initial position of the adjustment movement, the support parts together form a substantially horizontal support plane and in an end position of the adjustment movement

[0101] - the leg support part 204 is pivotally adjusted relative to the central support part 208, wherein the central support part 208 forms an obtuse angle with the leg support part 204 and the end of the leg support part 204 facing away from the central support part 208 is arranged below a plane defined by the central support part 208 and

[0102] - the upper body support part 212 is pivotally adjusted relative to the central support part 208, wherein the upper body support part 212 forms an obtuse angle with the central support part 208 and the end of the upper body support part 212 facing away from the central support part 208 is arranged above a plane defined by the central support part 208.

[0103] Fig. 10 shows the support device 2 in the initial position of the adjustment movement, which corresponds to a reclining position of the support device 2 or a piece of furniture equipped therewith. In contrast, Fig. 11 shows the support device 202 in the final position of the adjustment movement, which corresponds to a reclining position.

[0104] According to the invention, at least one support part is connected to the underside of the central support part 208, with which the support device 202 can be placed or rests flat on a surface, wherein the support part extends in the longitudinal direction of the support device 202 from the region of the first pivot axis 206 in the direction of the upper body support part 212 and beyond the second pivot axis 210, such that in the end position of the adjustment movement, the support device 202 is supported on the surface on the one hand with the end of the leg support part 204 facing away from the central support part 208 and on the other hand with the end of the support part facing away from the central support part 208. The surface is symbolized in Fig. 11 by dashed lines 214, 216.In the illustrated embodiment, two identical support parts 218, 220 are provided, spaced apart transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device 202. In the illustrated embodiment, these support parts are formed by tubular parts. The support parts 218, 220 are attached to the underside of the central support part 8, as can be seen, for example, in Fig. 11.

[0105] As can be seen from Fig. 16, the leg support part 204 is provided on its side facing away from the central support part with two rollers 222, 224 spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device.

[0106] The adjustment device has electric motor drive units 226, 228, 230, 232.

[0107] The drive unit 226 will be explained in more detail below.

[0108] Fig. 12 and Fig. 14 show, on an enlarged scale compared to Fig. 10, the drive unit 226 in the initial position (Fig. 12) and the end position (Fig. 14) of the adjustment movement. The drive unit 226 has a drive housing 234 consisting of half-shells according to the invention. For illustrative purposes, one half-shell of the drive housing 234 is omitted in Fig. 12 and Fig. 14 in order to show the structure of the drive unit 226.

[0109] The drive unit 226 has an electric motor 236, which is connected to a worm 238 of a worm gear for rotational drive. The worm 238 engages a worm wheel 240, which is non-rotatably connected to a stationary threaded spindle 242 of a spindle drive, which is rotatably mounted in the drive housing 234. A spindle nut 244 is arranged on the threaded spindle 242 in a rotationally fixed manner and movable in the axial direction of the threaded spindle 242, forming the linearly movable output element of the drive unit 226.

[0110] The drive housing 234 forms, in sections, a supporting longitudinal beam 246 of the upper body support part 212 in the longitudinal direction of the support device 202, wherein the longitudinal beam 246 is formed from the drive housing 234 to the end of the upper body support part 212 by a beam part 248 made of metal.

[0111] A pivot bearing 250 is formed on the drive housing 234 for pivotally supporting the central support part 208 on the drive housing 234. The output member of the drive unit 226, namely the spindle nut 244, is operatively connected to a force application point formed eccentrically to the pivot axis 210 on the central support part 208, such that upon a linear movement of the spindle nut 244 of the drive unit, the support parts 208, 212 are pivotally adjusted relative to one another.

[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, the force application point on the central support part 208 is formed by a pin-like stop 252 in the illustrated embodiment, which is arranged eccentrically to the first pivot axis 210.

[0113] In the illustrated embodiment, two drive units spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device 202 are used to adjust the upper body support part 212 and the central support part 208 relative to one another, namely the drive units 226 and 228, which form longitudinal beams of the upper body support part 212 that support sections in the longitudinal direction of the support device 202, as can be seen, for example, from Fig. 10.

[0114] One of the drive units 226, 228, namely drive unit 226, is designed as a motorized drive unit with at least one electric motor, namely electric motor 236, while the other drive unit, namely drive unit 228, is designed without a motor. Apart from the fact that drive unit 228 is designed without a motor, it is constructed similarly to drive unit 226.

[0115] For coupling the output element of the motorless drive unit 228, namely a spindle nut 254, to the output element of the motor drive unit 226, namely to the spindle nut 244 of the spindle drive of the drive unit 228, mechanical coupling means are provided which are designed such that a linear movement of the spindle nut 254 of the motorless drive unit 228 is coupled to a linear movement of the spindle nut 244 of the motor drive unit 226 for synchronizing the linear movement of the spindle nuts 244, 254.

[0116] Corresponding mechanical coupling means are known from EP 2 418 982 B1, the content of which is hereby incorporated into the present application by reference. In the illustrated embodiment, a coupling shaft 256 of the coupling means connects the worm of the worm gear of the drive unit 226 in a rotationally fixed manner to a worm of a worm gear of the drive unit 228. Alternatively, the drive unit 228 can also be provided with an electric motor, in which case the drive units 226, 228 are then synchronized by control technology.

[0117] The drive unit 232 associated with the leg support part 204 is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 15. The drive unit 230 is constructed accordingly.

[0118] Corresponding to the drive units 226, 228, the drive unit 232 has an electric motor 258, while the drive unit 30 is designed without a motor and is coupled to the drive unit 232 by means of a coupling shaft 260.

[0119] The drive unit 32 differs from the drive unit 226 with regard to the operative connection between its spindle nut 261 and the associated force application point on the central support part 208. In the illustrated embodiment, a tab 262 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the spindle nut 261 is pivotally mounted on a joint axis 64 on a longitudinal beam of the central support part 8.

[0120] The drawing shows that the longitudinal beams of the support parts 204, 208, 212 are connected to one another by cross beams in this embodiment. One of the cross beams, which in the illustrated embodiment are formed by wooden panels, is designated in the drawing by reference numeral 266. The wooden panels 266 can be padded and thus form the upholstery of the furniture. The support device 202 can also be accommodated together with the upholstery in a common casing, as known from EP 1 239 753 B1, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

[0121] Control and power supply means for controlling and supplying power to drive units 226 and 232 are not shown in the drawing to simplify the illustration. However, the structure of corresponding control and power supply means is generally known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be explained in detail here.

[0122] The functioning of the support device 202 is as follows:

[0123] Starting from the initial position of the adjustment movement shown in Fig. 10, which corresponds to a lying position and in which the support parts 204, 208, 212 together form a substantially horizontal support plane, the control device controls the drive units 226 and 232 such that the upper body support part 212 and the leg support part 204 are adjusted to the end position of the adjustment movement shown in Fig. 11. In this end position, which corresponds to a reclining position of the support device 202, the upper body support part 212 is upright and angled relative to the central support part 208. The leg support part 204 is angled relative to the central support part and lowered with its free end relative to the central support part 208.

[0124] During the adjustment of the leg support part 204 relative to the central support part 208, the support parts 218, 220 lift off the base 214, 216 with their ends facing the leg support part 204, so that the second pivot axis 210 is raised. The rollers 222, 224 roll on the base 214, 216 to reduce the frictional resistance between the free end of the leg support part 204 and the base 214, 216.

[0125] The adjustment of the upper body support part 212 relative to the middle support part 208, on the one hand, and the adjustment of the leg support part 204 relative to the middle support part 208, on the other hand, can be kinematically and control-technically coupled to one another. The kinematic and control-technical coupling can be designed such that the adjustment of the leg support part 204 relative to the middle support part 208, on the one hand, and the adjustment of the upper body support part 212 relative to the middle support part 208, on the other hand, begin simultaneously. However, the kinematic and control-technical coupling can also be designed such that, in a first kinematic phase of the adjustment movement, the upper body support part 212 is first adjusted relative to the middle support part 208, and subsequently, in a second kinematic phase, the leg support part 204 is adjusted relative to the middle support part 208.However, the leg support part 204 and the upper body support part 212 can also be decoupled from each other kinematically and in terms of control, so that the leg support part 204 and the upper body support part 212 can be adjusted independently of each other.

[0126] Fig. 17 shows a third embodiment of a support device 302 according to the invention. In accordance with the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the support device has a stationary central support part (buttock support part) 304, to one end of which a leg support part 306 is pivotably connected. A calf support part 308 is pivotably connected to the end of the leg support part 306 facing away from the central support part 304.

[0127] The third embodiment according to Fig. 17 differs from the first embodiment according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 in that the back support part is designed in two parts and has a lower back support part 310 and an upper back support part 312. The lower back support part 310 is pivotally connected to the end of the middle support part 304 facing away from the leg support part 306, while the upper back support part 312 is pivotally connected to the end of the lower back support part 310 facing away from the middle support part 304. A neck support part 314 is pivotally connected to the end of the upper back support part 312 facing away from the lower back support part 310.

[0128] For adjusting the leg support part 306 relative to the middle support part 304 and the calf support part 308 relative to the leg support part 306, a first furniture drive 316 is provided, the drive housings 318, 320 of which form the supporting longitudinal beams of the leg support part 306.

[0129] For adjusting the lower back support part 310 relative to the middle support part 304 and the upper back support part 312 relative to the lower back support part 310, a second furniture drive 322 is provided, the drive housings 324, 326 of which form the supporting longitudinal beams of the lower back support part 310.

[0130] For adjusting the neck support part 314 relative to the upper back support part 312, a third furniture drive 328 is provided, the drive housings 330, 332 of which form the supporting longitudinal beams of the neck support part 314.

[0131] The furniture drives 316, 322 and 328 can be controlled independently of each other by the control device (see Fig. 9), so that the support parts 306, 308, 310, 312 and 314 can be adjusted independently of each other.

[0132] In the third embodiment according to Fig. 17, the drive housings 318, 320, 324, 326, and 330, 332, respectively, carry resilient slats, so that the support device 302 is designed as a slatted frame. In Fig. 17, one slat is designated by reference numeral 334 as an example.

[0133] The second furniture drive 322 is constructed as described above with reference to Fig. 8.1 to Fig. 8.4, with the second furniture drive 322 and the third furniture drive 328 being designed as identical parts. The first furniture drive 316 is constructed accordingly, but mirror-inverted with respect to a transverse center plane of the support device 302.

[0134] Reference symbol list for AZ OAC240501PCT

[0135] Support device middle support part

[0136] Swivel axis between 4 and 8

[0137] Upper body support part

[0138] Swivel axis between 8 and 12

[0139] Neck support part

[0140] Swivel axis between 4 and 16

[0141] Leg support part

[0142] Swivel axis between 16 and 20

[0143] Calf support part

[0144] Furniture drive

[0145] drive unit

[0146] Drive housing

[0147] electric motor

[0148] Motor housing additional drive unit additional drive housing

[0149] spindle drive

[0150] threaded spindle

[0151] spindle nut

[0152] Gearbox

[0153] warehouse

[0154] ball bearings

[0155] ball bearings

[0156] coupling element

[0157] coupling element

[0158] tab

[0159] Gearbox tab

[0160] Output shaft

[0161] Worm gear

[0162] Worm gear

[0163] Furniture drive

[0164] spindle drive

[0165] threaded spindle

[0166] Threaded section

[0167] Threaded section

[0168] spindle nut

[0169] spindle nut

[0170] coupling element

[0171] coupling element

[0172] drive unit

[0173] Drive housing additional drive unit additional drive housing

[0174] Engine housing

[0175] ball bearings

[0176] ball bearings

[0177] Worm gear

[0178] cones

[0179] cones

[0180] half shell

[0181] half shell

[0182] spindle nut

[0183] limit switch

[0184] limit switch

[0185] tab

[0186] Power supply unit tab

[0187] Control device

[0188] wiring harness

[0189] circuit board

[0190] socket

[0191] Holding device for 124 plate-shaped support surface part

[0192] Support device

[0193] Leg support part

[0194] Swivel axis middle support part

[0195] Swivel axis

[0196] Upper body support part dashed line dashed line

[0197] Support part

[0198] Support part

[0199] role

[0200] role

[0201] drive unit

[0202] drive unit

[0203] drive unit

[0204] drive unit

[0205] Drive housing

[0206] electric motor

[0207] Snail

[0208] Worm gear

[0209] threaded spindle

[0210] Spindle nut supporting longitudinal beams Beam part Pivot bearing Stop Spindle nut Coupling shaft Electric motor Connecting shaft Spindle nut Tab Joint axis Cross beam (wooden plate) Support device Middle support part Leg support part Calf support part Lower back support part Upper back support part Neck support part First furniture drive Drive housing Drive housing Second furniture drive Drive housing Drive housing Third furniture drive Drive housing Drive housing Lath

Claims

Patent claims 1. An electromotively adjustable support device (2) for supporting the upholstery of a piece of seating and / or reclining furniture, in particular a mattress of a bed, comprising support parts (4, 8, 12, 16, 20) that are pivotally adjustable relative to one another for supporting the upholstery, comprising an electromotive adjusting device for adjusting the support parts (4, 8, 12, 16, 20) relative to one another between a starting position of the adjusting movement, in which the support parts (4, 8, 12, 16, 20) together form a substantially horizontal support plane, and an end position of the adjusting movement, in which the support parts (4, 8, 12, 16, 20) are pivotally adjusted relative to one another, wherein the electromotive adjusting device comprises a plurality of furniture drives (22, 66) arranged spaced apart from one another or adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction of the support device, wherein each furniture drive (22) has at least one electric motor (28) and at least one drive housing (26) formed from two half-shells (104, 106), wherein at least one drive unit (24) with a spindle drive (36) having a translationally movable output member and at least one end-position switch-off device for switching off the associated electric motor (28) in end positions of the output member are accommodated in the drive housing (26), wherein means for converting a translational movement of the output member into a pivoting movement of the drive housing (26) are arranged in or on the drive housing (26), such that the drive housing is pivoted relative to an adjacent support part during a translational movement of the output member, wherein the drive housing (26) forms at least in sections a supporting longitudinal beam of a support part, such thatthat the drive housing (26) is integrated into the supporting structure of the support device (2) and wherein each furniture drive (22, 66) has electrical connection means for connecting the furniture drive (22, 66) to a cable harness (122) which connects the furniture drives (22, 66) to a control device (120) which is designed and configured such that the furniture drives (22, 66) can be controlled independently of one another.

2. Support device according to claim 1, wherein at least two furniture drives (322, 328) of the support device (302), in particular at least two furniture drives (322, 328) following one another in the longitudinal direction of the support device (302), are designed as identical parts.

3. Support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the end position switch-off device comprises two limit switches (110, 112) spaced apart from one another in the translational movement path of the output member, which define end positions of the output member, such that the associated electric motor (28) is stopped when the respective end position is reached.

4. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the half-shells (104, 106) of at least one drive housing (26) are designed as injection-molded parts.

5. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical connection means comprise a circuit board (124) with a plug-in connection means for plugging into the cable harness (122) and the circuit board (124) is accommodated in the drive housing (26) or a motor housing (30) preferably fastened to the drive housing (26).

6. Support device according to claim 5, wherein a holding device (128) for the circuit board (124) is formed in the drive housing (26) or the motor housing (30).

7. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed as a slatted frame, wherein the drive housings (318, 320 or 324, 326 or 330, 332) carry resilient slats (334) on which the padding rests when the support device (302) is in use.

8. Support device according to one of claims 1 to 6, which is designed to support a box spring mattress, wherein the drive housings (26, 34) or 86, 90) plate-shaped support surface parts (130) on which the box spring mattress rests when the support device is in use.

9. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support parts comprise a leg support part (4), to one end of which a central support part (8) is connected in an articulated manner and pivotably about a horizontal first pivot axis (6), to the end of which, remote from the leg support part (4), an upper body support part (12) is connected in an articulated manner and pivotably about a horizontal second pivot axis (10), and wherein the adjusting device is designed and operatively connected to the support parts (4, 8, 12) in such a way that in an initial position of the adjusting movement the support parts (4, 8, 12) span a substantially horizontal support plane with one another and in an end position of the adjusting movement - the leg support part (4) is pivotally adjusted (8) relative to the central support part, wherein the central support part (8) forms an obtuse angle with the leg support part (4) and the end of the leg support part (4) facing away from the central support part (8) is arranged below a plane defined by the central support part (8) and - the upper body support part (12) is pivotally adjusted relative to the central support part (8), wherein the central support part (8) forms an obtuse angle with the upper body support part (12) and the end of the upper body support part (12) facing away from the central support part (8) is arranged above a plane defined by the central support part (8), wherein at least one support part (18, 20) is connected to the underside of the central support part, with which the support device (2) can be laid or rests flat on a surface and wherein the support part (18, 20) extends in the longitudinal direction of the support device (2) from the region of the first pivot axis (6) in the direction of the upper body support part (12) and beyond the second pivot axis (10), such that in the end position of the adjustment movement the support device- device (2) is supported on the ground on the one hand with the end facing away from the central support part (8) and on the other hand with the end of the support part (18, 20) facing away from the central support part (8).

10. Support device according to claim 9, characterized in that two identical support parts (18, 20) are provided, spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device and preferably designed as tubular parts.

11. Support device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the leg support part (4) is provided at its end facing away from the central support part (8) or in the region of this end with at least one roller, in particular with at least two rollers (222, 224) spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device.

12. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for converting a translatory movement of the output member into a pivoting movement on the drive housing (34) have a pivot bearing which defines a pivot axis, wherein the output member is operatively connected to a force application point formed eccentrically to the pivot axis on the other support part, such that upon a linear movement of the output member of the drive unit (32), the support parts 4, 8 or 12, 8) are pivotally adjusted relative to one another.

13. Support device according to claim 12, characterized in that a stop for the output member is formed at the force application point or that the output member or a component connected thereto is mounted on the other support part in an articulated manner about an articulated axis (64) parallel to the pivot axis (6).

14. Support device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that for adjusting one support part relative to another support part at least one furniture drive has two drive units (26, 28 or 30, 32) spaced apart from one another transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support device, which form longitudinal beams of the support part (12 or 4) which support sections at least in the longitudinal direction of the support device (2).

15. Support device according to claim 14, characterized in that one of the drive units (26 or 32) is designed as a motor drive unit with at least one electric motor (36 or 58) and the other drive unit (28 or 30) is designed without a motor, wherein coupling means are provided for coupling the output element of the motorless drive unit (28 or 30) to the output element of the motor drive unit (26 or 32), and wherein the coupling means are designed such that a translational movement of the output element of the motorless drive unit (28 or 30) is coupled to a translational movement of the output element of the motor drive unit (26 or 32) for synchronizing the linear movement of the output elements.

16. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one longitudinal beam of a support part is formed in the longitudinal direction of the support direction successively by a drive housing (34) of a drive unit (26) and a beam part (48) connected thereto, preferably made of metal.

17. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one furniture drive (22) has a bearing (44) for a rotatably mounted component of a spindle drive (36; 68) which has a threaded spindle (38; 70) and at least one spindle nut (40; 76, 78) placed on the threaded spindle (38; 70), wherein the threaded spindle (38; 70) has two in the axial direction of the threaded spindle (38; 70) carries mechanical coupling elements (50, 52; 80, 82) spaced apart from one another and movable relative to the bearing (44) for adjustment-technical coupling to a respective support part.

18. Support device according to claim 17, wherein the rotatably mounted component of the spindle drive (68) is a stationary threaded spindle (70) which has two threaded sections (72, 74) along its axial direction, wherein an axially movable, rotation-proof spindle nut (76, 78) is placed on each of the threaded sections (71, 74), wherein each spindle nut (76, 78) carries or forms a coupling element (80, 82).

19. Support device according to claim 18, wherein the threaded spindle (70) has a one-piece spindle body on which the threaded portions (72, 74) are formed.

20. Support device according to claim 18, wherein the threaded spindle (70) has a spindle body which consists of two spindle elements which are axially connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner and each of which has one of the threaded sections (72, 74). 21 . Support device according to one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the threaded portions (72, 74) have different directions of rotation.

22. Support device according to claim 17, characterized in that the rotatably mounted component of the spindle drive (36) is a stationary spindle nut (40) which is mounted on a threaded spindle which is movably mounted in its axial direction and is secured against rotation (38) is placed on which the coupling elements (50, 52) are attached at an axial distance from one another.

23. Seating and / or reclining furniture, in particular a bed or lounger, with a support device (2; 202; 302) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images